Actual pricing in the late 1970s

[MN2944]

Does anyone have a reference for what the late P&R revolvers were selling for new near the end of their production in the late 70s?

I know that some like the 29-2 were in high demand due to the Dirty Harry craze, but how about more common models?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[pownal55]

I paid 196.00 for a 27-2 with a 5" barrel in early to mid 70's. You could add 40.00 to that figure by the end of the decade.

 

[BigBill]

The s&w m29 44mag blue w/6 1/2" barrel was $550 depending on the mood the sales rep. These were black marketed. I've seen these sell as high as $750 at that time. They were in nickel & 8 3/8" barrels too everything was selling in the m29' s. I seen it. Seeing this frienzy and over pricing scam turned me off from owing s&w revolvers from then till now.

 

[long colt frazier]

In 1974 as a freshman in college I paid 400.00 for a 4 inch 29-2 in the presentation case.
Mark

 

[highpower3006]

In December of 1979 I bought a new M10 with 6" barrel for $150+tax. Came to roughly $165.

 

[MN2944]

The s&w m29 44mag blue w/6 1/2" barrel was $550 depending on the mood the sales rep. These were black marketed.

My 6" 29-2 was $500 in 1979. I believe MSRP was about $350, so I knew I was paying extra. Was the markup somewhere in the distribution chain where certain dealers were paying a premium to get an allocation while others got nothing?

Running an inflation calculator on that, my $500 NIB 29-2 in 79 would be equivalent to $1608.29 today!

 

[vrichard]

Dick

 

[Homie]

In '79 the published retail for a 29 or 57 was $331.50, $342.00 for an 8 3/8 ths. A 27 was $303.00 without the case or any T s.

29s were actually selling for hefty premiums and were very hard to come by unless your brother in law worked at the store!

 

[blackdeuce]

My 4" nickel 19-4 was purchased new at Montgomery Ward for $279 in 1979. The gun had the receipt in the box when I bought it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

In about 1972 or so (time flies when you are having fun), it was around $240.00 (with tax) for a 6 1/2 inch Model 29-2 from the local hardware store. No black market pricing, but the wait was about a year.

 

[TAROMAN]

I paid $400 for my new 8-3/8" 29-2. This was from a friend who scored all 3 barrel lengths at an Army R&G in Alaska. That was the going price and I was glad to get it.
My new Model 60 (no dash) was $123 from Jensen's in Tucson.
8-3/8" 17-4 was $205 from Mayco in Quantico, VA. At the same time i picked up a matching 14-4 for $195. All new.

 

[civil1977]

I thought this had pricing but it doesn't. Still a cool 1970s "wish" list.

 

[Jack Flash]

In '79 the published retail for a 29 or 57 was $331.50, $342.00 for an 8 3/8 ths.

It's amazing how small the additional price was for "extras".

 

[beerbelly]

A little past the late 70`s, but in August of `82 I paid $290 for a brand new 18-4. If I remember right, most new S&W `s were kinda hard to come by around here.
beerbelly

 

[lrb1200]

Couple of examples of P&R Smiths, both bought new very early 80's. One a 17-4, the other a 19-4.

 

[pumpgun]

not p&r but in early 82 i paid $309 OTD for a 6" 586, box of shells and a s&w holster in shreveport la. lot of money for a E2 in those days. funny thing was, that 586 stagnated in price for about 15 years. i thought i got ripped off. it has gradually increased in value though but still is only worth about twice what i paid for it. not a real good return for 32 years. something like 2.5% apr. but i'm not complaining. it shoots like a dream and looks as good as the day it came out of that little louisiana gunshop and got tucked into the saddle bag of my motorcycle.

 

[sandspur6]

Don't know about the late 70's, but in 1970, MSRP for both Mod 10's and 36's was $76.50 for blue and $84.50 for nickel. My, how times have changed.

 

[Farmer17]

My very first Smith was a brand new M-39 I bought at the Tulsa Gunshow when I was in college in about 1980 for $260. My next was a Nickel Chief Special snub I bought brand new for $186 in 1983. I received a new blue 6-1/2" m-29 in the wood box for my college graduation gift from my sister in 1984 but I don't know what she paid for it. I do remember seeing new M-29s for about $310 in 1986 or 87.

 

[72guns92]

I payed $171 dollar for a M29 with 4"barrel through the PX in 1973 took 4month to get it. SemperFi

 

[Doc44]

In 1981: Models 27/29/57...$420-$433, Model 629...$479, Model 19...$228-$262, Model 66...$244, and Model 28...$$262-$282.

Bill

 

[r3captain]

My 17-3 from 1974 is marked $120.70 on the box sticker!

 

[adwjc]

In 1973, we could buy a model 10 for $73.09 from our equipment supplier.

In 1977, I bought a Model 15 TT,TH for $113.90 from the supplier w/ discount.

Checking back, I realized I have my Model 42, bought in 1974, paid $125 (retail).

 

[dscampbell]

In September of 1973 I paid $121.95 OTD FOR MY model 28 6" from Hayward Police Supply, Hayward CA


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[Just another 22 shooter]

I worked for Dave Cook Sporting Goods in Denver in 77-78. I told the assistant manager at the store I worked (in the Gun dept.)I wanted the next 29 that we got. He had no problem with it. Went to ring it up; I think the price was $319ish. He gave me the standard 20% off, to my surprise....I wasn't making real good money there, but I still tried to save enough to buy a new Smith every couple of months or so. Now, why in the world did I ever let those guns slip away ?

 

[Engine49guy]

In 1981: Models 27/29/57...$420-$433, Model 19...$228-$262, Model 66...$244, and Model 28...$$262-$282.

Bill

Bill Im a little surprised at those 1981 prices ,
The 1956 HH Harris Ad that Chris posted today lists the Pre27 at $116.30 and Pre Model 19...$95 ,
If they are all accurate it appears the Model 19 price almost doubled but the 27 price nearly quadrupled ...Is this correct ?

Also was the 28 always priced higher than the 19 and 66 ?
I assumed the 28 was cheaper than the 19.

 

[BigBill]

I think my new colt python in '75 was $500. My new ruger GF 32 police service six in '76 was $145. My marlin 444s was $135 the same year.
My rcbs rock chicken press was $59, the accessories kit for it was $59 too.

 

[L Pete]

In the early to mid 70s, if one were to buy a Model 29 and paid the full on suggested retail price, than one would a gotten a very, very cheap price on said 29. Dealers would normally price a 29 at three times the suggested retail price. But,......that was only Model 29s, everything else was priced at the suggested retail or less. I should've bought a car instead of my first Model 29.......

 

[MichiganScott]

I paid $400 for a 8 3/8" Model 29 and $225 for a Model 19 in 1977. Bought a slightly used 4" Model 28 for $125 in 1976.

I still have all three. The Models 28 & 29 are well used, but I never could get any love from the Model 19.

 

[OldK22]

In the late 70's many S&W distributors not only allocated S&W handguns, but dealers were compelled to purchase other S&W products in order to be allowed to purchase S&W handguns. Purchase 3 cases of S&W ammunition and you were allowed to purchase a model 29, 2 cases of ammunition and you could purchase a model 27 or a model 19, 1 case got you a model 10, 13, 14. You could also purchase cases of S&W brand leather holsters or handcuffs or stocks and then be allowed to purchase handguns. Other than model 29s most other models I saw sold for suggested retail. There was s ton of S&W ammunition & holsters for sale in the late 70's cheep as dealers had too much of it. At least it was that way in the DFW area.

 

[jmace57]

In the Summer of 1977, I bought a new, nickel 19-2 for exactly $200.